Professional Mold Inspection in Bethlehem & the Lehigh Valley
What a professional mold inspection is
A mold inspection is a hands-on investigation of a building to find mold growth and, more importantly, the moisture conditions that support it. It includes a visual inspection, moisture readings and a look at the areas where hidden mold usually starts: basements, attics, crawlspaces, wall cavities and HVAC equipment.
Air Care & Restoration Co. performs mold inspections for homeowners, buyers, landlords and businesses in Bethlehem and throughout the Lehigh Valley. Our inspectors are trained in mold and indoor air quality investigation, and inspections are led by our owner, Joe Kozacheck.
An inspection does not mean you'll be sold remediation. Many inspections end with a simple explanation and a moisture or humidity fix you can handle yourself.
What happens during an inspection
- Conversation first. What you've noticed, when it started and any history of leaks or water damage.
- Visual inspection of affected rooms and the building envelope for staining, growth, condensation and water entry.
- Moisture investigation using moisture meters where applicable to find wet drywall, framing, subfloors and masonry.
- Basement inspection of foundation walls, finished walls, sump areas and mechanical rooms.
- Attic inspection for roof leaks, ventilation problems and condensation on sheathing or ductwork.
- Crawlspace inspection for ground moisture, humidity and growth on framing.
- HVAC inspection of accessible coils, drip pans and duct interiors, since forced-air systems can move spores between rooms.
- Hidden moisture investigation behind finished surfaces where readings or odors point to a problem.
- Conditions supporting mold growth such as high humidity, poor ventilation or construction details that trap moisture.
Inspection, testing and remediation: what's the difference?
| Service | What it answers | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Mold inspection | Is there mold or a moisture problem, where is it and why? | Findings, moisture readings and recommendations |
| Mold testing | What types and levels of mold are present in air or on materials? | Accredited lab results with our interpretation |
| Mold remediation | How do we remove the growth and correct the cause? | Containment, removal, cleaning, moisture correction |
When is mold testing recommended?
We recommend testing when it will change a decision: when mold is suspected but hidden, when we need to know whether spores have spread, when documentation is needed for a sale or rental, or after remediation. If mold is clearly visible and its cause is obvious, testing is often unnecessary.
Targeted or whole-house inspection
Targeted inspection
For a problem confined to one area, such as a single bathroom, basement corner or laundry room, we focus the inspection on that space and the moisture sources around it.
Whole-house inspection
A top-to-bottom inspection of all accessible levels, including the HVAC system. Whole-house inspections are billed by time: $185 for the first hour and $85 for each additional half hour. We'll confirm current pricing when you schedule.
We don't offer free inspections or free estimates. The inspection is where the real work of figuring out the problem happens, and it's performed by trained staff.
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll recommend the right type of inspection. Office hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–5 PM, Sat 8 AM–2 PM.
Our qualifications and experience
- Serving Bethlehem and the Lehigh Valley since 1992
- Owner-led investigations by Joe Kozacheck, who brings a chemistry background to sampling and interpretation
- Specialized training in mold, indoor air quality and remediation
- Remediation work performed to the principles of the IICRC S520 standard
- BBB Accredited with an A+ rating (view profile)
- PA Home Improvement Contractor registration PA135885
Learn more about Air Care or see why homeowners choose us.
Mold inspection FAQs
Can mold grow behind walls?
Yes. Plumbing leaks, condensation and finished walls built against damp foundations can all support mold inside wall cavities. Musty odors, staining at the base of walls and high moisture readings are common clues.
Can mold grow inside HVAC systems?
Yes. Coils, drip pans and ductwork can support growth when condensation, high humidity or poorly insulated ducts keep surfaces damp. Because the system moves air through the house, we include accessible HVAC components in whole-house inspections. See HVAC mold remediation.
Can high humidity cause mold?
Yes. Mold doesn't need a leak; it can grow on surfaces that stay damp from humidity or condensation. The EPA recommends keeping indoor humidity below 60%, ideally between 30% and 50%.
Will you try to sell me remediation?
No. An inspection is a paid, stand-alone service. If remediation isn't needed, we'll tell you. If it is, you'll receive a written scope and can decide what to do.
How long does an inspection take?
A targeted inspection can be relatively quick. A whole-house inspection depends on the size of the home and what we find, which is why it's billed by time.
Should I get a mold inspection before buying a house?
It's worth considering if the home has a finished basement, a history of water problems, musty odors or visible staining. A general home inspection usually doesn't include moisture investigation in the same depth.
Related services and areas
If an inspection shows a problem, next steps may include professional mold testing, mold remediation or indoor air quality testing.
We inspect homes and businesses in Bethlehem, mold inspection in Allentown, Easton, Whitehall, Emmaus and across the Lehigh Valley.
Read our
reviews
"We couldn’t be more pleased with our experience with Air Care. From the very first call, Jessica was kind, professional, and incredibly helpful in answering all of my questions. They scheduled us quickly, which we truly appreciated. When Joe came out, it was immediately clear we were in good hands. He is extremely knowledgeable and took the time to walk us through everything, making sure we understood the process every step of the way. He also handled communication and reporting with our landlord seamlessly, which took a huge weight off our shoulders. Air Care is professional, prompt, trustworthy and genuinely cares about their clients. We highly recommend them to anyone in need of their services."
Animal Food Bank LV
GOOGLE
"This company is exceptional. Joe, the owner, spent hours inspecting and testing our home, and his knowledge of mold and moisture problems is truly expert‑level. He identified issues we never would have found on our own. They completed a full remediation in our basement and installed a heavy‑duty dehumidifier. After a voltage problem in our home affected the unit, Joe came back personally to get it working again. That kind of dedication is hard to find. Andrew and Dylan also cleaned our ductwork and did an excellent job — professional, efficient, and equipped for serious work. If you’re dealing with mold or air quality concerns, call them. They’re thorough, honest, and extremely knowledgeable. Highly recommend."
Dave
GOOGLE
"We called Air Care to investigate air quality concerns in our home. They completed a very thorough inspection and immediately identified several major construction issues in our basement that were causing hidden mold growth. Air Care's mold spore tests revealed that levels were significantly elevated in our home. Air Care started remediation work very quickly to remove the incorrectly installed insulation and reinsulate everything properly using methods that would not cause mold growth. They installed new drywall and put back our built-in cabinets and ceiling tiles. Everything was as good as new! We had an independent company come back and re-test the air quality, and mold spore levels were reduced by over 95%. We were very happy with the quality of work done by Air Care and their attention to detail and care for our home. They are highly knowledgeable in their field and took the time to explain everything to us in detail. We would highly recommend them to anyone experiencing air quality issues in their home or workplace!"
Ben
GOOGLE
"Joe was extremely helpful and thorough in evaluating our new house for mold. We found some and another company tried to charge us 4,000 dollars to clean up one wall. Joe identified that the wall was not the contributing factor to the air mold and that the old owners must have had moldy items in the basement. We filtered the air and retested. Mold is gone. Saved us a ton of money and spent the time teaching us what to do and look for. 10/10 service."
Alex
YELP
"We hired Air Care for a big mold remediation of a carriage house/garage. From the start Joe was excellent in explaining what was needed, he answered all our questions and explained every process along the way. All the guys from Air Care were efficient and considerate and they went above and beyond to ensure the job was completed on time and with perfection. Jessica from the office was great as well. We couldn't be happier with the price and service we received from start to finish."
Audrey
YELP
"Joe gave us an estimate to remove the mold from our basement and Air Care did the work. Our basement has never been drier and more odor free. The guys worked neatly and carefully and did a great job. I highly recommend Air Care. Thanks, DBM."
Dan
YELP
